Stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, a person based on characteristics that distinguish them from other members of a society especially when this is unfair.
Stigma is associated with a lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spreads, a need to blame someone, fears about disease and death, and gossip that spreads rumours and myths.
It can result in symptoms being ignored; discourage people from seeking healthcare if they develop symptoms and greater transmission taking place.
Some groups of people who may experience stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
Coronavirus is not a death sentence.
Most people recover from COVID-19
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We’ve collated all the Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs